Die Electric Eels – Cyclotron 7″

In May 1975 these guys recorded two slabs of what have to be some of the greatest proto punk ever. Agitated has all the punk elements: short song, sloppy instrumentation, raw production and a lousy solo.

Released by Rough Trade 1977. From Cleveland, Ohio(round in the ends high in the middle). Electric Eels on the web: http://www.electriceels.com.

Thanks for the nice comments Rich and Malfeitor :). My set up is nothing special. Someday I migh afford to upgrade my 6 year old sound card and that will improve the quality alot. Or buy me one of the those nice pre-amp USB interfaces.

Another mindblowing record, this is in my Top 10 of all time. John Morton’s guitar playing just absolutely kills on this record. Plus they were from my hometown of Cleveland, so I know where some of the Eels’ angst came from since Cleveland was a pretty drab place back in the 70’s– the river caught on fire, the economy was in the toilet, downtown was a run down area. Come to think of it, there’s still some drab, raw places there in 2006! But Cleveland has a long history of original music coming out of it, punk and otherwise, from jazz maestro Albert Ayler in the late 60’s/early 70’s to the Electric Eeels, Pagans, Pere Ubu, etc, etc.

As far as sound quality is concerned, these songs were recorded live onto cassette. I don’t believe the band ever recorded in any other way.
Also, I’ve never seen a copy of this single with the labels the right way round.
“The Eyeball Of Hell” (LP) is an extraordinary record. If I remember rightly the vinyl version has more songs than the CD. It’s 2 LPs worth of this!! I think it’s on “SCAT” records.
Try http://www.electricfuckingeels.com

Proto Punk?? In 1975?? Well then if this is Proto Punk, Then all the Garage Bands fron 1963-1971 Never happened. And the 1972 August Issue of CREEM wherein Lester bangs Coined the Term PUNK ROCK never existed. Flakes….once again…YOU KNOW NOTHING!!!

Then it´s good to have you here who can set the records straight :). I´m aware of the 60´s garage scene and I think most people in here know the Creem/Lester Bang story. But sure if you wanna play mister know it all go ahead. To me the most of the 60´s garage bands that I´ve heard(take note) have elements of the later 70´s punk but not as much as to call it proto punk. But then again if you take me as an author of everything punk or hardcore you´ve come to the wrong place.

If you don´t want to call Electric Eels proto punk, fine. I do and I don´t care if anybodyelse doesn´t. Get it?